The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) will have lasting implications on water users throughout the State. Downey Brand's water law practice is on the cutting edge of SGMA and groundwater law developments and has created a helpful reference guide for professionals in the water industry. The Compendium of California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act includes the text of ...

Job Openings

The firm is always interested in hearing from 3rd, 4th and 5th year associate candidates with substantial experience in any of the firm's practice areas in a law firm setting. To submit your application for consideration in the absence of a posting below suited to your qualifications, please click here: Lateral Associate Application

Recruiting Professionals/Agencies

Professional recruiters and search/placement firms must have signed terms and conditions on file with Downey Brand prior to submitting candidates.

Fall Associate/Entry Level Associate Candidates

Most of the firm's first year/entry level associate hires are made from its Summer Associate classes. We do not anticipate hiring additional entry level associates in 2018. You may submit your materials to our applicant tracking system for possible consideration in the event an opportunity is identified in the near term: Entry Level/Junior Associate Application

Sacramento

Water Law Associate

Date Posted: 6/26/18

The firm's Water practice group seeks a 2-3 year associate attorney to join its Sacramento office. This position involves representation of public and private sector clients statewide in a broad range of water-related issues including water rights, water supply, flood control law, federal reclamation law, public agency law, and California Environmental Quality Act compliance. Read More

Litigation experience is preferred, and knowledge and/or experience with transactional water law is desired. Associate salaries are based on years of experience and bonus consideration is given for productivity and performance.

The successful candidate will have a distinguished academic record and have exceptional research, writing, and interpersonal communication skills. Must be a current, active member of the California Bar Association and willing to relocate to Sacramento if not from the area. Please address cover letter, resume, law school transcript and a brief, recent writing sample to Maureen Cooper, Recruiting Director. Downey Brand LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No telephone calls or e-mail applications, please. Principals only.

Downey Brand seeks a 3rd to 5th year litigation associate to support its water litigation practice. Experience drafting all manner of pleadings (including complaints, answers, and motions), arguing motions, and performing discovery, is essential.

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This position involves representation of public and private sector clients statewide, in both state and Federal court, in a broad range of water-related issues including water rights, water supply, flood control law, federal reclamation law, public agency law, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and California Environmental Quality Act compliance. Familiarity with natural resource issues is a plus. Associate salaries are based on years of experience and bonus consideration is given for productivity and performance.

The successful candidate will have a distinguished academic record and have exceptional research, writing, and interpersonal communication skills. Must be a current, active member of the California Bar Association and willing to relocate to Sacramento if not from the area.

The firm's Sacramento Litigation group seeks to expand its practice with the addition of a mid-level associate attorney with 3-6 years of experience in complex litigation. This position will offer the candidate opportunities to work on a wide variety of litigation matters including business, intellectual property, real estate, and construction litigation.

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Candidates should have significant law firm experience with all aspects of discovery and law and motion practice. Clerkship experience is a plus. A distinguished academic record and exceptional research, writing and verbal communication skills are essential. The successful candidate will have strong public speaking and advocacy skills. Associate salaries are based on years of experience and bonus consideration is given for productivity and performance. Must be a current, active member of the State Bar of California.

The firm is seeking an experienced mid-level corporate transactional associate to join its Sacramento office. The successful candidate will have 3-5 years' law firm experience advising corporations, LLCs and other business entities regarding general corporate and business transactional matters.

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Candidates should have significant experience in corporate finance; mergers and acquisitions; private placements; venture capital transactions; corporate governance; and related matters. Must be a current, active member of the California State Bar Association.

Strong writing, analytical and interpersonal skills are essential. Qualified candidates will also have a distinguished academic record. Associate salaries are based on years of experience and bonus consideration is given for productivity and performance. Please address cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and a brief, recent writing sample to Maureen Cooper, Recruiting Director.

The firm is seeking an associate with 3 to 7 years of experience to join its Natural Resources Practice Group in San Francisco. This position involves representation of public and private-sector clients statewide in a broad range of land use, environmental, energy, and water matters.

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The candidate should have significant experience in either (1) environmental and land use litigation (including preparation of administrative records, writs, or law and motion practice); or (2) administrative enforcement, permitting, regulatory compliance, or environmental transactional matters. Knowledge in the areas of CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, endangered species, land use, public agency law, or energy is desired. A background in general civil litigation in federal or state court is also helpful.

The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal and communication skills, excellent analytical skills, and an attention to detail. The candidate should be a self-starter who enjoys accepting significant client and matter responsibilities and challenging natural resources assignments within a legislative and regulatory landscape that is ever changing. A distinguished academic record, as well as exceptional research and writing skills, are required. Associate salaries are based on years of experience and bonus consideration is given for productivity and performance. The candidate must be a current and active member of the California State Bar.

With one of the state’s largest natural resources practices, Downey Brand has built a solid reputation as a leader in water, environmental, and natural resources law. Its attorneys counsel clients on compliance strategies and regularly appear at trial and on appeal in some of the most complex resources disputes in the west.